The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-07-30
The Opportunity Must No, BE Lost.

The National Editorial Convention will
and it is expected that every State in the
Union will have a large delegation in at
tendance. The Item, of course, will be
represented, as it always is on occasions OF
interest or Importance to the press and to
the people.
The tom proposes to use lis influence and
tho place, aud November, 1883, as the time
for tho meeting of the next National Press
Convention.
1t would be difficult 10 oVoroStiinaie INC
Importance of having this convention here
when it is remembered that every one OF
the delegates represents Il newspapers con-
stituency numbering from ono thousand
to more than ono hundred thousand poo
pie. The journals re presented ut the Cotton
Centennial Exposition did vast deal of
good to our city and State; how great then
would be the gain of having our advan-
tages and resources exhibited to hundreds
OF influential newspapers distributed
throughout every Sc elton OF tie Union.
II the National Press Convention were
held in New Orleans it would give new
light to Northern journalists on matters
would find that ourssld soldiers arc pretty
good fellows, after, all, and that it is the
old timber from the Old South that forms
the sturdy framework of the grand and
beautiful editice that some are pleased to
designate as tho New South. They would
find that the negro is better treated here i'll
tho South than III the North; and they
would also discover that prcjuaices and
illusions which doomed in the distance fade
and vanish on nearer approach.
But it is not to educate or eniisf1ten the
press of the North that we intend to pro-
pose New Orleans as the next place Of
meeting. 1t must be confessed that our
motive is = selfish one, and that is, tho
direct and mat rial interests OF this city
and State.
We want to advertise our fine harbor
and great river, our fertile soil and genial
climate our wonderful resources III aGri-
culture, minerals and lumber, and all the
natural advantages and great industries OF
Louisiana. There can be no surer way to
do this than to have the National Press
Convention here. We are after no hct!tious
booms, tor the solid advantages of this
section need no eXagGeration, and only re-
quire to be made known to attract what is
most wanted, capital
The reason the Item suggests November
is, because during the first week in that
month our great sugar factories begin to
operate. Sugar harvest would be novel
and interesting spectacle to editors from
Maine, Iowa, Dakota and other distant
regions. But we must again confess That
it is not alone for the entertainment of the
proposed guests that we name that usually
mild and pleasant month. 1t is because we
want the people of tho United States to
know what II 81 eat thing the sugar indus
try is, We want the journalists to sec
the hundreds of Employees on plantation;
to see Tho expensive machinery that comes
from the North; the big mules that como
from the West, and tho vast quantities of
supplies that are purchased from tho North
and West. We want to show them what
great possibilities for the interest of tho
whole country Ito i'll the development of
this wonderful industry.
The matter is 100 obvious to refer ut
length to tho great benefits which would
result to our material interests from tho
meeting of tho National Editorial Associa-
that tho delegates to tho convention would
acquire much information valuable to
themselves; while as for attractions, This
CITY is second to mono, and tho people arc
warm hearted and hospitabfo.
That tho Items active efforts ON this
point may DO properly supported, IL is
desirable that resolutions be passed by all
of tho Exchanges, by tho Sugar Planters
and other associations, and by tho CITY
Council, giving Il cordial Invitation to the
National Editorial Association to hold its
next meeting hore. Invitations and roso-
lutions on the subject forwarded to tho
Item will DO presented to tho convention
embodied in tho argument which will be
made in support Of the motion to Designate
New Orleans as tho place of meeting,
1t is also hoped that our confreres OF the
city and country press Will join with us
heartily in this important eilort.-N. o.
CITY Item.